The Bad Driving Habits That We Should All Lose
It is easy to fall into a routine of using bad habits when driving, especially if you are short of time because you are running a business or trying to get one started. These bad habits form one of the reasons why so many people claim that they would never pass their driving test again if they had to sit it.
Yet, there are two very important points we need to consider when it comes to these bad driving habits. Firstly, many of them are extremely dangerous and could even be life threatening. Secondly, they’re things that can be eradicated fairly quickly and easily with just a little thought and effort.
Using the Phone
Do you still sometimes use your phone while you are driving? This is something that can seem perfectly normal to do. After all, if you are in a hurry or get an urgent phone call it is easy enough to think that you can handle a couple of minutes talking while you drive. You wouldn’t want to miss a call from that potential new client, would you? However, research has shown that using your mobile while behind the wheel can be just as dangerous as driving after drinking alcohol.
Studies regularly show that the majority of drivers still do things like read text messages or answer calls while driving. However, information from leading insurance comparison sites remind us how dangerous this activity really is.
Speeding
Speeding is a bad habit that anyone and everyone can fall into after a while. Sure, we can all press down on the accelerator a bit too heavily from time to time, but this really is something that we should monitor and control.
It is easy to associate speeding with young drivers and the evidence certainly backs up the theory that a high percentage of young drivers get involved in serious crashes because of speeding. Having said that, speeding in cars is a hazard for drivers of all ages and from all types of backgrounds. No matter how old you are, what kind of vehicle you drive and how much you earn, driving over the speed limit puts you life in danger unnecessarily.
This is one of the habits that you can cut out by thinking a bit more before each journey. If you are on your way to an important meeting then by setting out a little bit earlier and avoiding the busiest routes you should cut out the need to speed in the first.
Drink Driving
Drink driving is one of the worst driving habits that should be wiped out immediately. It seems incredible in this day and age that many Australian drivers still think that it is acceptable to have a few drinks before getting behind the wheel. Even a relatively small amount of alcohol can affect our driving in a wide number of ways. If you are going on a night out or to a business meeting where you expect to drink then leaving the car behind is the only sensible option.
You might think that you can drive your car safely after a few drinks but studies have proven this is certainly not the case, with reaction times being significantly altered after only a small amount of alcohol.
Running Red Lights or Ignoring Traffic Signs
These are extremely dangerous habits and should be reasonably easy to kick. You already know that it is dangerous and wrong to run a red light or to fail to stop at a STOP sign, but sometimes our need for speed is too great.
Often it is a lack of time that makes us take the occasional unnecessary risk in life. You might shave a few seconds off your journey in this way but at what price? If you run through a red light, for instance, then there is every chance that another vehicle will be coming from the opposite direction.
Setting off earlier is one solution, while you should also never forget that the traffic rules and regulations are all in place for a reason.
